What does it mean that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire?
It means two alternatives: baptism with the Holy Spirit or baptism with the lake of fire. Those are the only options—saved or lost. John’s water baptism was present, but the Holy Spirit baptism was future, and I Corinthians 12 shows members of one body.
Les explains that 'He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire' sets out two alternatives: a person is either baptized with the Spirit or baptized with the lake of fire; there is no third option, only saved or lost. He notes the verb tense is future: John was baptizing in water at the present time, but John said he would baptize with the Holy Spirit at a future day—more future than most realized. Les then directs attention to I Corinthians 12, where the body is one yet has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body. He illustrates this with the toe: if you hurt your toe, you hurt all over because the toe is part of the body and the nerve endings are connected.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
More Questions
What are the two alternatives in John's promise that Christ will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire?
John's statement that Christ will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire presents only two alternatives: baptism with the Holy Spirit or baptism with the lake of fire, so people are either saved or lost.